LEGAZPI CITY, (PNA) -– Massive and rampant vote-buying was noted in the six Bicol provinces and seven cities involving amounts ranging from a minimum of P20 for councilors and P500 for barangay chairmen.
The Central Bank Bicol regional office here confirmed that massive withdrawals of P20 and P50 bills were reported by banks as early as last week, fueling speculation that the money would be used for the barangay elections to buy votes.
Candidates identified with incumbent local mayors, governors and congressmen had their edge as they reportedly got better financial support in addition to their own resources to win the elections.
“It’s a highly bastardized and polluted election, knowing a barangay is apolitical,” commented former mayor for 20 years Jose Arcangel Jr. of Jovellar town in Albay and now a resident of Legazpi City.
Arcangel, who once headed the local-based non-government organization Pipol Against Graft and Corruption, said Monday’s barangay elections are seriously made being a playground by candidates who are idle, jobless and character-tainted whose credentials are simply as voters able to read and write and whose fallback is to join the barangay council for honorarium as the simplest way to earn a living.
“It’s long overdue that barangay leaders should be exempt from elections, citing government’s heavy expenses, time, effort and election troubles. Barangays should be run by managers and like teachers, should be insulated from politics and corruption,” said Arcangel.
Interviewed teachers manning polling centers said it’s discouraging to know what comprises the barangay candidates today, that is why many did not have anymore interest to vote, saying it was a useless exercise.
The teachers said prominent and able professionals in the barangays reportedly would not want to join the barangay political exercise unless the system is changed and politics is purely out of it.
Chief Supt. Victor Deona Bicol police regional director, however, said despite the report of alleged massive and rampant vote-buying, Bicol elections remained peaceful.
According to Arcangel, in Legazpi alone, even independent bets without any known resources have joined the barangay elections because of the honorarium even they have to borrow money and resort to loans to court voters.
A complaint reaching radio stations said that in Catanduanes, one bet for punong barangay had resorted to giving as high as P1,000 on selected voters to ensure his victory.
Barangay 15 in Legazpi City, a radio report said, has a candidate for barangay chief that gave as high as P500 while barangay councils, a minimum of P50.